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Articles by Dan Kern

How Is Teen Acne Different from Adult Acne?

Males Are More Affected as Teens, Whereas Females Are More Affected as Adults, and All Adults Tend to See Breakouts More Around the Chin and Jawline The Essential Info Age: Adolescent acne, often referred to as “teen acne,” affects people up to 25 years old, while adult acne affects people over 25 years old. Prevalence: Teen …

Why Acne Scars Are Red/Purple

Skin That Is Healing from Acne Lesions Is More Transparent and Contains More Tiny Blood Vessels, Which Show Through as Red The Essential Info Acne scars can appear as a variety of different colors: red, purple, or brown. The color of a scar is due to one of two processes: Post-inflammatory erythema (redness): This process …

Why Do Raised Scars Affect Darker-skinned People More than Lighter-skinned People?

It’s More about Ethnicity than Skin Color. Non-Caucasians Tend to Develop Raised Scars More Often than Caucasians, Likely for Genetic Reasons The Essential Info Raised scars include two types, which have complex names, but really aren’t that complex: Hypertrophic scars: These are raised scars that are the same size as the original acne lesion. Some …

Picking at Pimples Leads to Scars

Picking at Your Skin Is Is One of the Worst Things You Can Do When It Comes to Scarring. Seek Help If You Feel the Urge to Pick Compulsively. The Essential Info Dermatologists around the world are unanimous that picking at acne lesions is a harmful behavior that can lead to scars. This is because …

Microneedling and Acne Scars

Microneedling May Improve Indented Acne Scars. But Warning: Never Try Microneedling on Active Acne. The Essential Info Microneedling is a procedure in which short, ultra-thin needles are inserted into the skin. Most often, the needles are on a roller that looks like a lint roller, and a medical provider rolls the device across the skin …

How to Treat Acne Scars on the Body

Acne Scars on the Body Tend to Be Fewer but More Severe. Treatment Is the Same as for Scars on the Face. The Essential Info While acne scars on the body tend to be less numerous than on the face, they can often be more severe. If you would like to seek treatment for acne …

Does Laser Treatment for Acne Scars Cause Dark Marks on the Skin (Hyperpigmentation)?

About 5% of People Who Get Laser Scar Treatment Develop Temporary Hyperpigmentation The Essential Info Laser treatment can significantly improve the appearance of indented (atrophic) acne scars. Many different types of lasers are available, some requiring only one treatment session and others requiring as many as 6 sessions spaced out over multiple months. In general, …

Does Isotretinoin (Accutane®) Cause Raised Scars?

Probably Not, but to Be on the Safe Side, Consider Avoiding Invasive Procedures like Ablative Laser Treatment and Dermabrasion until You’ve Been off Isotretinoin for 6-12 Months The Essential Info Raised scars, or scars that stick out above the surrounding skin, sometimes form when the skin heals from acne lesions or from other types of …